November 8, 2022
The East Central Community College Warriors traveled to Booneville on Monday night, Nov. 7, and took the No. 15 nationally ranked Tigers of Northeast Mississippi Community College to overtime, ultimately falling by just four points, 119-115. The loss dropped the Warriors to 2-1 on the year, while Northeast moved to 2-0.
The contest was an offensive shootout in the first half as both teams blew up the scoreboard with stellar shooting from all parts of the floor. The impressive play from both squads did not allow either team to pull away as the lead continually traded hands and rarely grew beyond three points in either direction.
However, in the final two minutes of the first half, the Tigers strung together an 8-0 run to pull out to a 53-45 lead, but ECCC cut it down to 54-48 going into the half.
ECCC came out of the break ready to play and quickly recaptured the lead in the early goings of the second frame, but a 10-0 Tiger scoring burst ensued, putting NEMCC on top, 69-59, with 13 minutes remaining in regulation. That lead grew to a 78-61 lead just a couple of minutes later.
The Warriors never waivered and slowly chipped at the Tiger lead with solid rebounding on the defensive end and converting offensively. With six minutes remaining, the lead had been cut back to 10, 92-82. A big three-pointer from Christopher Keys, a dunk from David Berry, and solid free throw shooting from Tai'Reon Joseph gave the Warriors new life in the final five minutes and pulled the Warriors within two, 96-94. An Antwan Hatten dunk and Berry free throws down the stretch sent the game to overtime, 102-102.
In the extra frame the Warriors pulled out to a 108-102 lead, but a big three from the Tigers and a jumper from Corey Stephenson knotted the game back up. After the Tigers re-took the lead and with time running out, the Warriors were forced to foul, but solid shooting from the charity stripe pushed the Tigers to the 119-115 win.
Tynerious Daniels led the Warriors with 33 points on 8-of-17 shooting and 14-of-18 shooting from the free throw line. Four other ECCC starters, Keys, Berry, Julius Ellerbe, and Joseph all scored in double-digits with Keys netting 19, Joseph scoring 18, Berry adding 16, and Ellerbe netting 12. Berry led the team with 12 rebounds and five assists on the night.
The Warriors outrebounded the Tigers 46-44 but turned the ball over seven more times.
ECCC is back at home this Thursday, Nov. 10, as the Warriors host Meridian at 6 p.m. That game can be seen live at www.eccclive.com/gold.
